Research Centre Rez

R&D infrastructure and activities

Daneš Burket

sCO2 workshop, Řež, 1.9.2017

1

R&D background

Two research reactors, set of experimental loops, microstructural and microchemical

laboratories, NDE laboratory, neutron-physical and thermo-technical computation

codes capabilities, design department, workshops and machinery park

makes us able to participate in sophisticated research projects and participate in the

development of new technologies for GEN IV, SMRs and the fusion.

The company has developed broad-ranging relations with Czech, foreign

and international organisations and participates in many projects togehther

with companies, organizations and institutes from EU, USA, Japan etc.

2

Research reactor LVR-15

Material research, e.g. the irradiation of reactor

pressure vessel materials

Corrosion testing of materials of reactor primary

circuit and internals carried out in experimental

loops

Production and development of

radiopharmaceuticals, Tc generators

Manufacture of semiconductors by neutron

transmutation doping of silicon for the electrical

industry

Basic research of material properties

3

LR-0 experimental reactor

The light water zero power reactor

Flexible reactor with flexible core arrangements

For determination of neutron-physical

characteristics of various types of reactor

lattices

Experiments with various insertion zone types

(graphite, fluorine salts)

Kinetic experiments – measurement of neutron

flux response to a time-dependent reactivity

Experimental verification of criticality and

subcriticality in relation to zone parameters

Verification of computation codes

4

Experimental loops 1/2

Experimental loops for modelling of conditions

in the reactor core and connected reactor cooling

circuits

Mechanical, thermal-hydraulic, material,

corrosion and further research under operational

conditions of various reactor concepts

In-pile experiments – by placing a loop in the

LVR-15 reactor, the physical and chemical

influences can be supplemented by radiation

conditions

5

Experimental loops 2/2

LWR loops – LWR reactors conditions (320°C, 17 Mpa)

SCWR loop – water of supercritical parameter (550 °C,

25 MPa)

HTHL loops – high-temperature helium up to 850 °C

CO2 loop – supercritical carbon dioxide for research into

heat transfer through CO2

Metal liquid loops – Pb, PbBi

FLIBE loop – LiF-BeF2 and nickel-based alloy (< 760°C)

6

Microstructural and microchemical labs

Microstructural and microchemical analysis

of various types of metal and nononmetallic

materials

Study of radiation damage of structural

materials for nuclear reactors

Development of new methods of the

detection of very low activity in very small

samples

Light Optical Microscope (LOM)

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS)

Nanoindenter

7

Severe accidents laboratory

Main objective

Developing new procedures of thermal and radiation resistance

verification and behavior of structural materials and systems under

the extreme conditions of severe accidents.

Research and development for GEN III and IV

Main technologies

LOCA device

High voltage testing room

Gamma irradiation device

8

Cold crucible

Technology for high-frequency induction

heating

For thermal treatment of materials which

are very difficult to treat by standard

procedures

Used for melting different materials,

primary to study the behaviour of corium

in severe nuclear power plant accidents

9

NDE and materials testing laboratories

Main goals

Lifetime prolonging of current generation of nuclear power plants, beyond 60 years

Supporting actions in development of materials and diagnostic systems for nuclear

power plants

Main aims

Material studies of highly irradiated materials

R&D of diagnostic systems

Fuel assemblies inspection program

Neutron dosimetry for surveillance program

10

Hot cell laboratory

Main objectives

Study of the microstructure degradation and mechanical properties of

nuclear reactor structural components materials after long

operational exposure

Main technologies

8 γ-hot cells, 2 α-hot cells, 1 semi hot cell and 1 dry pool

11

Energy Well project

Development of small (up to 30 MWt) modular reactor

based on fluoride salt – FHR (Fluoride Salt Cooled

High Temperature Reactor) as an industrial product

for the Czech Republic

Small & modular = which would fit into a standard

shipping container

salt – salt – sCO2

heat

exchanger

core

Research Centre Rez

www.cvrez.cz

Hlavní 130, 250 68 Řež

cvrez@cvrez.cz